Interview with Sterling Gardner, March 7, 2023

Partial Transcript: My name is William Breeding Jr.. Today is March the 7th, 2023, and I am at a beautiful facility here that is under the direction of Sterling Gardner.

Segment Synopsis: Gardner describes his early life and gives a brief account of his family history. He then gives an overview of his education in private school and in an integrated Athens-Clarke County School System and reflects on being one of only two Black children at St. Joseph Catholic School.

Keywords: Cedar Shoals High School; Edward Lee Gardner; St. Joseph Catholic Parish School; West Broad Street School; Willie Erin Gardner; Integration

Partial Transcript: Do you think you would have been a different person had you not had that experience?

Segment Synopsis: Gardner discusses the difficulties of being Black at St. Joseph Catholic School and some of the friends he made there who defended him. He also discusses how these experiences shaped him and the ways they continue to influence his life.

Keywords: Desegregation; Private schools; Racism; Race

Partial Transcript: By the time I got to Cedar Shoals there were two or three, what I called, major racial brawls.

Segment Synopsis: Gardner recalls racial tensions growing as he got older and discusses the fully integrated Cedar Shoals. He then briefly talks about his time at the University of Georgia and alludes to his sister Stella's negative experiences there.

Keywords: Cedar Shoals High School; Integration; Jan Kemp; Public schools; Race / Racism; University of Georgia

Partial Transcript: What were some of those first job assignments that you had?

Segment Synopsis: Gardner discusses his first jobs, including a short-lived internship with Ken Dious' law firm, and how he managed to become a salesman at Trussell Ford.

Keywords: Car dealerships; Carl Terry; Salesmen; Trussell Ford; Kenneth Dious

Partial Transcript: So, Ronnie Hill had not gotten to town yet, so finally, Ronnie finally gets to town working for the dealership.

Segment Synopsis: Gardner talks about the racism he experienced within the car dealerships he worked at and the lack of respect shown to him as a Black man.

Keywords: Auto Sales; Brack Rowe Chevrolet; Jerry Farmer; Racism; Ronnie Hill; Trussell Ford

Partial Transcript: Then I came to Boys and Girls Club.

Segment Synopsis: Gardner explains how he reluctantly became the Director of the Jack R. Wells Boys & Girls Club and began his career with the organization.

Keywords: Abraham Mosley; Boys & Girls Clubs; Community organizations; Pauldoe; Athens, GA

Partial Transcript: …I'm now going to lead our Workforce Development Program for Boys & Girls Clubs.

Segment Synopsis: Gardner details the role of the Workforce Development Programs and specifically the YouthForce Innovation Hub's role in preparing teenagers to become productive members of the workforce.

Keywords: Athens, GA; Career development; Community development; Youth programs; YouthForce Innovation Hub

Partial Transcript: But unfortunately, many of our employers don't know how to engage our young people.

Segment Synopsis: Gardner talks about the need to invest in the youth and for employers to adapt to accommodate the large number of underutilized young people at their disposal. He also emphasizes the need to educate employers, future entrepreneurs, and employees on how to confront a changing world.

Keywords: Business; Community engagement; Education; Entrepreneurs; Monique Sanders; Get STEMulated

Partial Transcript: I think innovative workforce development programs are getting ready to spring up and be the norm in many of our communities.

Segment Synopsis: Gardner discusses the influence of YouthForce in the region. He also expresses his confidence that similar programs will become common throughout the country, and his hopes that the Innovation Hub's model will inspire other communities to take a similar approach.

Keywords: Boys & Girls Clubs; Community; Workforce development programs; YouthForce Innovation Hub

Partial Transcript: Now, I tell people I work at the Boys & Girls Club, but I work for this community.

Segment Synopsis: Gardner emphasizes the need for collaboration between similar organizations for the sake of the community as a whole. The interview concludes with Gardner giving his ten-year-old self advice.

Keywords: Community development; Youths; Cooperation